Nectarine tree named ‘Pearlicious XXIII’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms in the early to mid season and requires about 425 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in late May, with first picking on May 28, 2012. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, full red in skin color, and a tasty balance of low acid and sugar in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘PEARLICIOUS XXIII’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a smaller number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘Pearlicious XXIII’.

In 2005 I made a first generation hybridization using ‘Grand Pearl’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,960) nectarine as the selected seed parent and‘53P129’ (unpatented) nectarine as the selected pollen parent. The fruitof this cross was gathered in the summer of 2005, and the seeds wereremoved from the fruit, germinated, stratified, and grown as seedlingson their own root in my greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy that winter,the seedlings were transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of myexperimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County(San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2009 Iselected the present variety as a single tree from the group ofseedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the presentvariety of nectarine tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding andgrafting in the experimental orchard described above, and suchreproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to theoriginal plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety includedthe use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the presentvariety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘53P129’ byproducing nectarines that are mostly red in skin color, but is quitedistinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is white instead ofyellow in flesh color, that is much less acidic in flavor, and thatmatures about ten days later.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Grand Pearl’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 9,960) nectarine by being self-fertile and by producingwhite flesh clingstone nectarines that are firm, sweet, and full redskin color, but is quite distinguished therefrom by maturing about fortydays earlier.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Pearlicious II’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 22,579) nectarine by blooming somewhat early, by being self-fertile,and by producing white flesh nectarines that have a bitter kernel andthat are firm, sweet, and nearly full red in skin color, but isdistinguished therefrom by having reniform instead of globose leafglands and by producing fruit that is clingstone rather than freestone,that is somewhat smaller in size, and that matures about four daysearlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a mediumsize, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearingtree. The variety blooms in the early to mid season and requires about425 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in late May, with first picking on May 28, 2012. The fruit isuniformly medium in size, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm andmelting in texture, white in flesh color, full red in skin color, and atasty balance of low acid and sugar in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, three insets to reveal buds and ablossoms, a typical tip shoot, and characteristic leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of full ripe on Jun. 8, 2012, on the original tree during itsseventh growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were madethe previous blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘Grand Pearl’ nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9.960).-   Pollen parent: ‘53P129’ nectarine (unpatented).

TREE

-   Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 9′ [2.74 m.] and    a spread of 6′ [1.83 m.] after seven growing seasons utilizing    typical dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and dense.-   Form: Vase type.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Approximate chilling requirement: 425 hours.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 3″ [76.2 mm.]            after the seventh growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Light grayish            brown [60. l.gy.Br] variegation with Dark orange yellow [72.            d.OY] crevices.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 7. Color:            Brownish orange [54. brO]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].            Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of main scaffold is 2″ [50.8 mm.] measured            12″ above the crotch, diameter of limb is 1½″ [38.1 mm.]            measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first year wood, increasing roughness            with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Second Year Wood: Light grayish brown [60. l.gy.Br] with            Strong brown [55. s.Br] permeating through.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 50 on second year            wood. Color: Brownish orange [54. brO]. Average size: 1/16″            [1.6 mm.] on second year wood. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average Length: 5″ [127.0 mm.]. Average Width:            1½″ [38.1 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute to rounded.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green (120. m.YG).        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Very yellow green [115. v.YG]            topside and a Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG]            underside.        -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing            tip. Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Color: Very yellow green            [115. v.YG] becoming Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with            maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: 1 to 6 per leaf. Position: Alternate,            located on the petiole and sometimes continued on the base            of blade. Size: Medium. Form: Reniform. Color: Strong yellow            green [117. s.YG] becoming Deep yellowish brown [75. deep            yBr] with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Tip color.—Grayish purplish pink [253. gy.pPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations alternately    positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, large.        -   Average flower diameter.—1 15/16″ [49.2 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Mostly five, extra petal fragments or            double blossoms are sometimes observed.        -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, slightly wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Average petal length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.        -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Deep            purplish pink [248. deep pPk] toward the base on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Moderate red [15. m.R] over a Light yellow            [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset.        -   Pollen.—Anthers produce an abundance of Brilliant yellow            {83. brill.Y} pollen.        -   Stigma color.—Pale yellow green [121. p.YG].        -   Stigma position.—Typically located about even with the            longest anthers.        -   Ovary.—Non-pubescent.        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer            surface.        -   Sepal length.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length            and width.        -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth.        -   Average pistil length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Early to medium, five days before ‘Spring            Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 15, 2012.        -   Date of full bloom.—Feb. 24, 2012.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Full ripe, Jun. 8, 2012.-   Date of first picking: May 28, 2012.-   Date of last picking: Jun. 8, 2012.-   Size: Uniform, medium.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2½″ [63.5 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2⅝″ [66.7 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2 9/16″ [65.1 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—5.2 ounces [147.4 grams].-   Form: Uniform, globose, compressed axially, slightly asymetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Oblate.        -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round, slightly            elongated toward the suture.-   Suture: Extends from the base, continues along the side, and ends    just past the pistil point.    -   -   Near the base.—A shallow groove.        -   Along the side.—A shallow trough.        -   Near the apex.—A shallow groove.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped toward the apex on both sides.-   Lips: Slightly unequal.-   Cavity: Flaring, slightly elongated in the suture plane, suture    showing on one side, Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY] stem markings    typical.    -   -   Depth.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Breadth.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].-   Base: Rounded to truncate, slightly cordate if viewed parallel to    the suture.-   Apex: Cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Pistil point: An inconspicuous Dark brown [59. d.Br] dot, negligible    in length, depressed within the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Nonastringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed in a dry season.        -   Color.—Dark red [16. d.R] over a Moderate red [15. m.R]            background with minor Light orange yellow [70. l.OY]            freckling mostly toward the apex.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Yellowish white [92. yWhite] throughout with Dark            pink [6. d.Pk] flecking throughout.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Pale yellow [89. p.Y]            broken fibers when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Scarce.        -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp, melting.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine.        -   Ripens.—Fairly even, slightly earlier at the apex.        -   Flavor.—A nice balance of light acid and sugar, typically 16            to 18 brix.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow.-   Base: Rounded, oblique.-   Apex: Rounded with tip.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Irregularly furrowed near the apex, pitted toward he base.-   Ridges: Rounded.-   External color: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light orange yellow [70. l.OY].-   Cavity surface color: Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY].-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].-   Average width: 15/16″ [23.8 mm.].-   Average length: 1¼″ [31.8 mm.].-   Average breadth: ¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None observed.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY] when first            removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr].        -   Vein color.—Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Scant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Pearlicious II’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,579) nectarine by blooming somewhat early, bybeing self-fertile, and by producing white flesh nectarines that have abitter kernel and that are firm, sweet, and nearly full red in skincolor, but is distinguished therefrom by having reniform instead ofglobose leaf glands and by producing fruit that is clingstone ratherthan freestone, that is somewhat smaller in size, and that matures aboutfour days earlier.